Thornleigh to Mt Kuring-Gai

2 Days

28.1 km One way

1615 m

Hard track

This overnight walk starts from Thornleigh train station and follows the Great North Walk down through the Berowra Valley Regional Park and along Berowra creek. The walk passes through Fishponds and up to the top of Galston Gorge to the campsite. From there, the walk continues along the Great North Walk, down through the gorge and along Berowra Creek to Crosslands Reserve, then back out the well signposted Mt Kuring-gai link track. The walk finishes at the train station, soon after leaving the bush.
Note this walk was re-routed in early 2016 to go via the streets of Hornsby Heights. This re-route is due to the multi-agency decision to close the Fishponds to Steele Bridge section of the Benowie Track. This decision has upset many people and the protest continues.

Thornleigh zigzag railway

The Thornleigh zigzag railway originally ran from the main rail line near Thornleigh to an historic quarry, near present day De Saxe Cl, Thornleigh. There are only minor fragments still visible today. The ‘Heritage Trail’ in Thornleigh has interpretive signs for the railway and the old Thornleigh Quarry. A book is available with some detail on railway and associated quarry: ‘Sydney’s Forgotten Quarry Railways’ by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9

(1.36km) Zig Zag Creek Bridge intersection → The Jungo

1.4 km

25 mins

16m

-38m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign

. Speculation on the source of the name ‘Jungo’ includes the Aussie tendency to abbreviate words (‘Junction’ gets corrupted to ‘jung-o’ etc) as well as a possible derivation from one of a few similar sounding aboriginal words.

– this creek may become impassable after rain. On the other side, the walk comes to an intersection on a small sandy beach. Here, the walk turns left, following the GNW arrows downstream for about 250m among the grass trees and crossing a flat timber bridge

(3.93km) Elouera Lookout → Int of the Great North Walk and the Quarter Sessions Road track

Moderate track

. At the end of the fence, the walk bends left following the rocky flat track for about 200m, where the track then becomes progressively steeper for about 250m, winding steeply down then across a flat timber bridge

(6.09km) Int of the Great North Walk and the Quarter Sessions Road track → Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW)

690 m

18 mins

43m

-73m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads north along the main rocky track, keeping the valley down to your left. The track leads along beside a rock wall (which is on your right) and through a rock outcrop

(on your right).Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north along the clear track, keeping the valley down to your left for about 100m, where the walk comes to a three-way intersection and ‘The Jungo’ sign

Fishponds Lookout

Fishponds Lookout is a fenced rock platform at the intersection of the Benowie walking track and the Rosemead trackhead. It is marked with a number of Great North Walk signs. This informally named lookout has good views down over Fishponds, a large waterhole on Berowra Creek. Looking north across the creek, there are views to the upper waterhole and the cliffs on the other side.

. The waterhole is fairly popular with local teens in summer, cooling off. Swimming and jumping at the Fishponds waterhole has resulted in fatalities – please heed the signs and Cora’s parents’ plea and enjoy the water from the edge.

(7.77km) Fishponds Lookout → Corner of Dilkera and Manor Rd

500 m

19 mins

131m

0m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the lookout, this walk follows the ‘Rosemead Rd Trackhead’ sign

. The track dips before heading steeply uphill, zigzagging in several sections. The walk leads you up a large metal staircase to the top of the cliffs, coming to the intersection of Manor Rd and Dilkera Cl.

(8.26km) Corner of Dilkera and Manor Rd → End of Clarinda St

1.7 km

31 mins

36m

-49m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows Manor Rd as it initially heads up a gentle hill. After about 600m, Manor Road turns to skirt about Mount Wilga Hospital, and the road changes name to Rosamond St. The walk continues along to the intersection with Stewart Ave on the left (this is a four-way intersection, with Carrington Rd on the right).Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north along Rosamond St following the Great North Walk arrow. The walk then turns left into Clarinda St and follows it to the end of the road, to find the ‘Clarinda Wetlands’ sign.

Easy track

Turn right: From the end of Clarinda St Hornsby, this walk heads around the green gate with the ‘Berowra Valley Regional Park’ sign on it, keeping the ‘Clarinda wetlands’ to the left. The walk follows the management trail, which soon bends left and gently winds through the bushland. There are some interesting rock formations on the right and the occasional valley view on the left. The track is fairly flat most of the way, until a left-hand bend that leads down to cross a small creek, and then up the other side of the valley. Once the track flattens out again, it comes to an intersection with the Simon Pl management trail on the right, at a fairly large clearing.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the flat management trail, heading away from Simon Place past the ‘Berowra Valley Regional Park’, ‘Dogs Prohibited’ sign

Moderate track

. The track is rocky and steep in a few places. Take care as the track turns at the top of some smaller cliffs while winding down the hill. Steps have been made from rocks and logs, making this track a bit more gentle, and there are some carved steps in the steeper sections. At the bottom of a small flight stone stairs, the walk crosses the creek on the rocks just in front of the waterfall.Veer right: From the waterfall, this walk climbs the stone stairs (keeping the waterfall initially on the left) and then turns right, heading up out of the gully. Once at the top of the stairs, the walk heads through the bush until soon coming to a ‘T’ intersection with the Stewart St management trail, signposted with a large ‘Great North Walk’ sign

Easy track

down the hill along the wide management trail. For the most part, the trail gently heads downhill then bends around to the left, leading to an intersection just before Steele Bridge.

Historic Military ‘Steele’ Bridge

This large steel and timber bridge spans Berowra Creek north of Fishponds. The creek is fairly wide at this point and the bridge provides a great view of the sandstone overhangs along the creek’s edge. The bridge was commissioned in 1965 to allow access for fire trucks. The bridge was designed by Major General Sir Clive Steele in 1942. Bridges of this type were critical during the WWII South West Pacific campaigns. The bridge is designed on the Warren truss style and is one of only 4 ‘Steele’ bridges still in use in NSW. More info.

(11.87km) Steele Bridge → Tunks Ridge Rest Area

1.8 km

44 mins

160m

-33m

Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk crosses the ‘Historic Military Steele Bridge’

uphill along the wide management trail. After about 200m, the trail becomes steeper (and is concreted) for around 150m, then flattens out just before the left bend. The trail continues to climb (enjoying the valley views to the right) for another 400m, after which the trail becomes quite steep again for for about 600m (here the trail is sealed

in two sections). From the top of the second concreted section, the trail leads gently uphill for just shy of 300m to the well-signposted ‘Tunks Ridge Rest Area’, where a sign points back down the trail to ‘Stewart St Hornsby Trackhead’

Tunks Ridge Rest Area

. There is no water or other facilities (you will need to carry your own in). A sign at the top of the campsite reminds campers that there is a one night limit and that it is a fuel stove only area (no campfires)

Top of Galston Gorge Campsite

This campsite can be found on the Great North Walk, off the service trail just before it descends into Galston Gorge (when coming from the south). There is plenty of room for a group of tents, however there is no available water or facilities. Although this is an official campsite for the Great North Walk, there are some threatened species in the area, therefore Tunks Ridge Reserve (1.4km South) would make a better alternative, with better facilities.

(15km) Int of Great North Walk and Galston Gorge track → Galston Gorge track head

550 m

16 mins

14m

-119m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Galston Gorge’ sign

Galston Gorge track head

on the eastern side of Berowra Creek, near the bottom of the gorge on Galston Road. This track head is a good access point for those wanting to do sections of the Great North Walk and is well signposted

, this campsite is a great spot for those walkers who want a quiet night’s sleep away from the more popular Crosslands Reserve. The creek water is brackish at this point, so it is not drinkable (except after heavy rain and lower tide, but then the water is more polluted) – best to bring your own water.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection near the campsite, this walk follows the clear track alongside Berowra Creek, whilst keeping the creek to your left. After about 30m, the track crosses a small, flat, timber bridge

. The campsite must be booked and fees apply – per night for adults and for children (infants under 4 are free). The gate at the top of the hill is locked at 5.30pm EST and 7.30pm (daylight savings time). A pleasant and well established campsite beside the river

. The southern part of Crosslands is managed by Hornsby Council and the northern half by the NPWS within the Berowra Valley National Park.
The first inhabitants of this area were a subgroup of the Dharug people who enjoyed the sandstone caves, fish and abundant plant life in the area. It is now managed by Hornsby Shire Council, but in 1856 Matthew Charlton asked Burton Crossland to be caretaker on this area. Burton built a house and made a living by harvesting timber, growing fruit, fishing and boat-building.

(21.94km) Crosslands Carpark → Northern end of Crosslands carpark

250 m

4 mins

1m

0m

Very easy

Continue straight: From the car park, this walk follows the flat dirt path

Calna Creek Campsite (south)

campsite sits on a flat grassy clearing in a small casuarina forest which provides plenty of shade. There is a small fireplace set up. This creek-side campsite is a good spot for those wanting to get the most out of a relaxing, overnight camp, just a short stroll to Berowra Creek and the main spine of the Great North Walk. Bring your own water, as the creek water is not suitable for drinking.

in the centre and provides a pleasant place to rest on a hot or rainy day.

(25.57km) Lyrebird Caves → Lyrebird Waterfall

140 m

4 mins

1m

-14m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the cave, this walk follows the track out of the cave to head along the side of the hill, keeping the valley to your right. After about 70m, the track leads through a smaller cave

Hard track

(note: this boardwalk/bridge was washed away during a flood in 2012, the hand rail is still in place). Once on the other side of the creek, this walk bends left and almost immediately crosses the creek again using boulders with carved steps

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Thornleigh to Mt Kuring-Gai

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

28.1 km

Time

2 Days

.

Grade 4/6

Hard track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Very steep (4/6)

Quality of track

Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)

Weather

Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

15km of this walk has short steep hills and another 6km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 3.8km is flat with no steps and the remaining 3.3km is very steep.

Quality of track

10km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 7km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 6km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 4km follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 19km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 9km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

16km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 11km requires no previous bushwalking experience. The remaining (990m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 24km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 4km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 17km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 11km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Thornleigh to Mt Kuring-Gai walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bvrp-ttmk
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bvrp-ttmk
Forecast snapshot